I'm not sure any possible "VFP tech in SQL Server" would be enough to cause MS to hold back source code. These days various open source DBMSs (whether SQL or otherwise) run at scale and under loads never encountered, or even dreamed of when the VFP SQL and ISAM engines were written. If someone wants to know how to write a data engine they'd be better off looking at one of those projects.

Off the top of my head I can't think of any aspect of VFP that's especially unique or technically desirable such that MS would want to keep its source proprietary.

I think it's more likely it's some sort of policy decision:

- Some aspect of the VFP source may have once been a "trade secret" even if that trade secret is currently obsolete
- Or it may just be that MS never open-sources any of its projects - either because it doesn't want to, or they're concerned that open-source licensing one product may inadvertently affect others

>True --- but I think that MS cares a little bit about VFP. They never released it as open source after they dropped it & it's my understanding that some of the stuff in it ended up in SQL Server & that's why they won't open-source it. (I could be very wrong about all that though lol).
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>>MS has never cared about VFP, cares less today than ever, and knows very well there's nothing to gain in suing an individual like Chen, and even the whole VFP community.
>>As once mentioned, they would not even sue anyone for using VFP on Wine, while their core source of interest (Windows) was under threat.
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>>>I share the estimate that MS is not interested and agree on the consent here about interpretation in jurisdictions on allowing fixes.
>>>If you want to add a layer of protection for yourself, forward the error to MS before contacting Chen ;-)
>>>I would NOT say mentioning VFPA to MS is best way for Chen and VFPA as it might be best not to prod sleeping legal eagles too often.
>>>I don't think you have that strong a position on 64bit version: MS might argue that to be intended and not a bug...
>>>my 0.0022€
>>>thomas